My intention for writing this book was to provide a quick reference in world history for junior, senior, and, if necessary for college students. My past experience provoked this thought that a majority of texts books, merely mention the major battles which have occurred throughout history and the generals and leaders who fought in these encounters to either preserve freedom or to exact it. Therefore, I have dwelt in these areas to give additional information without going into a great deal of detail in the battles or in the lives of some of the great leaders who gained notoriety and fame throughout history. Some of the generals and leaders who were brought to my mind when writing this book and who were outstanding in their endeavors and victorious were Cyrus the Great, Themistocles, Octavian, William the Conqueror, Charlemagne, Alexander the Great, Admiral Horatio Nelson, George Washington, Rommel, Clifton Cates, Eisenhower, McArthur, Patton just to name a few. Therefore, a biographical review was emphasized in the various chapters. It was also significant to note the various implements of war which were used in the various battles and the strategies the leaders used to accomplish their victories. The changes in global societies are due mainly because of these instruments of war, dating back to prehistory when the stone ax was the main instrument used by primitive societies to conquer other tribes and clans to modern day missiles and nuclear bombs. Man has certainly progressed from these modern technological inventions and life-saving drugs but, on the other side of the ledger, we are still suffering from poverty, HIV disease, war, and at the present time an economic downfall, foreclosures and inflation. The outlook at the present time, 2008, doesn't look very promising. Let's all hope for a quick recovery. As a final word, may all the readers of this book enjoy a fascinating story of some of the outstanding world battles which have definitely changed world civilization for the better or the worse.